Postgraduate taught degree programmes

search postgraduate taught degree programmes

Related links

Other programmes in the subject of Information Studies (HATII):

Other programmes in the subject of History of Art:

Downloads

Postgraduate Prospectus 2013 thumbnail

Museum Studies MSc

The Masters in Museum Studies will help you develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required of today’s versatile museum professional. It has been designed in conjunction with employers to meet their needs for well-rounded museum professionals trained in the latest theoretical and practical approaches.

  • If you want to develop a career in the cultural and heritage sectors, this programme has been developed for you. It is taught alongside staff from Glasgow Museums and the University’s Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, and combines academic and practitioner input from a number of relevant disciplines.
  • Glasgow’s civic and university collections are the richest and most diverse outside of London and are of international standing. You are granted privileged access to these collections to provide substantial practical experience in object-based research and exhibition development.
  • There are great opportunities for you to take work placements at the museums which partner the programme.

Programme overview

  • MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

You will take two core courses. These courses provide a conceptual and skills base from which you follow one of four specialist strands: Theory and practice; History of collecting and collections; Artefacts and material culture; or Dress and textile histories. Each strand will give you a different mix of optional courses.

Core courses

  • Introduction to museology
  • Research and professional skills.

To finish the programme, you choose between

  • an Exhibition development and research placement course with the Hunterian Gallery
  • a dissertation on a specialist topic of your choice.

Strands

Theory and practice

This strand introduces you to the theoretical, contextual, ethical and practical issues involved in curating, engaging, interpreting, developing and managing museum resources. It develops your understanding and skills in contemporary museum issues and exposes you to the many and varied challenges and opportunities facing museums today.

History of collecting and collections

This strand covers a broad range of disciplines and areas of knowledge relating to subjects and periods in the history of collecting and collections. You will be introduced to subjects that will help develop your understanding of issues of connoisseurship and taste, the impact of travel, the politics of display and patterns of collecting and presentation.

Artefacts and material culture

This strand is designed to provide a broad grounding in the fields of artefact and material culture studies. It prepares you at both a theoretical and practical level in the field of specialist artefactual analysis as well as the demands of the museum sector with regard to material culture.

Dress and textile histories

In this strand you will be introduced to subjects that will help you develop your knowledge and understanding in the field of dress and textile histories. You will focus on the curation, interpretation and preservation of dress and textiles in museums, galleries, archives and historic interiors, within both a practical and research environment.

Career prospects

Career opportunities exist in museum curatorship and management within the cultural and heritage sectors.


Further information: Dr Ian G Anderson
email: Ian.G.Anderson@glasgow.ac.uk

Academic entry requirements

Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject unless otherwise specified.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

Further information regarding academic entry requirements: student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

  • overall score 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.5
  • or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
     

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

  • ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 24
  • CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
  • CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
  • PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 68; minimum 60 in writing

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

We ask that you apply online for a postgraduate taught degree. Our system allows you to fill out the standard application form online and submit this to the University within 42 days of starting your application.

You need to read the guide to applying online before starting your application. It will ensure you are ready to proceed, as well as answer many common questions about the process.

Guide to applying online

Do I have to apply online for a postgraduate taught degree?

Yes. To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We are unable to accept your application by any other means than online.

Do I need to complete and submit the application in a single session?

No. You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process. You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload additional documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

What essential documentation should I have available before I start my application?

As well as completing your online application fully, it is essential that you submit the following documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • Two supporting reference letters on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English Language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

Do my supporting documents need to be submitted online?

Yes, where possible, please upload the supporting documents with your application.

What if I am unable to submit all of my supporting documents online?

If you cannot upload an electronic copy of a document and need to send it in by post, please attach a cover sheet to it that includes your name, the programme you are applying for, and your application reference number.

You may send them to:

Recruitment & International Office
71 Southpark Avenue
Glasgow
G12 8QQ
Fax: +44 141 330 4045

Can I email my supporting documents?

No. We cannot accept email submissions of your supporting documents.

What should I do if am having problems using the online application system?

If you are having issues, please email doashelp@mis.gla.ac.uk

What entry requirements should I have met before applying? Where can I find them?

You should check that you have met (or are likely to have met prior to the start of the programme) the individual entry requirements for the degree programme you are applying for. This information can be found on the ‘entry requirements’ tab on each individual programme page, such as the one you are viewing now.

What English Language requirements should I have met before applying? Where can I find them?

If you are an international student, you should also check that you have met the English Language requirements specific to the programme you are applying for. These can also be found on the ‘entry requirements’ tab for each specific programme.

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately, they are also available within the help section of the online application form. You can also download a PDF with detailed guidance information for the online application system:
Applicants' Guide to Online Application

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
  • References: Please provide the names and contact details of two academic references. Where applicable one of these references may be from your current employer. References should be completed on letter headed paper and uploaded on to your application.

Standard application deadlines

  • International applications (non-EU) 23 July 2013
  • UK and EU applications 27 August 2013

Classes start on 16 September 2013 (provisional date) for most courses and you may be expected to attend induction sessions the week before

Apply now